"Wow, nee-chan. Central is so much prettier than the anime made it out to be..."

"That's because they were focused on destroying it with all the fight scenes." Tara sighed, thinking back to the fights between the military and the homunculi.

Truth be told, with all the fighting over and done with, and the reparations finished, Central really was quite picturesque. The tiny dolled up shops, the people, the architecture, it was all gorgeous. But Tara had Nikki's Ipod from the backpack Riza had taken from Nikki's house. Watching a few episodes, Tara realized that something bad was about to happen. The episodes just stopped before she could find out what. So of course, her almost-sister had no idea that she was in danger, nor did she sport the foreboding feeling either. Nikki was as happy as a lark.

Throughout the entire drive from the Rockbell house (they had been retrieved from there by Jean Havoc, one of the men in Mustang's squadron.), Tara had been silent. She was genuinely happy that Mustang had Riza back, and Havoc was especially bubbly, joking that mustang would finally become fuhrer and get rid of the frat laws and finally marry Riza, which was answered with stutters from Mustang, a glare from Hawkeye, and blushes on both accounts. Nikki and Havoc could only laugh. Tara smiled, but otherwise was silent.

"Nee-chan, you're really quiet. What's wrong?"

The entire car was quiet, waiting for her answer.

"it's just, we're in the same sitch as Riza was. The only reason we got through is because of Erkhart, and I don't think we have anyone like that to get us back through. I don't think I'd want to go back that way anyhow. But the point is, we're stuck here. And no matter how beautiful it is, I still won't be able to see my mom or any of our other friends, Nick!"

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After about two days, Mustang decided that the girls should come in and hang out at the office when they had nothing else to do. He decided this because not only did Riza seem to enjoy their company, she seemed to relax, and that meant that she was less likely to shoot at him for not doing his paperwork- which there was a lot of since Riza had been presumed dead and now she was back at work again. Tara and Nikki had agreed to it, but Mustang also wanted them to research everything they could find on the anime FMA. He found out about that via Riza, who had told him that she had seen and heard what he said to Edward the day before he found out she was alive. That had been quite embarrassing, but he also wanted to know if there was anything that could be gained from watching the anime. There was, and Tara and Nikki were to research, and report.

However, today was just a lazy day, and he had his head on his desk again, sleeping as usual.

He was about to get a very rude awakening.

So this is the place where the ass is working now...Ha, serves him right to be stuck behind a desk all day. Muwahahahahaha. I turned to the door that was in front of me, and took a deep breath, ready to scare the living shits outta Roy Mustang, My Eternal Rival! *An, Yes, that was a Maito Gai ref. Do not shoot me, nee-chan.*

I grinned, and then put on my "Pissed as all hell Sgt. Major face" that I had borrowed from 1rst Sgt. Patrick Brittingham (He was a cool teacher!) and kicked the door in.

"MUSTANG!"

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I had been asleep when the door burst open, and, assuming it was Lt. Hawkeye or some other officer above me, I shouted that I was working and immediately picked up my pen. When I looked up at the door, what I saw was far worse than having a superior officer catching me sleeping. It was just as bad as Ishbal, if not worse.

"MUSTANG!"

It was that hell-girl from my worst nightmare. Mizuri Tamanami...

"So this is what you've reduced yourself to? Not even fully capable of a desk job? HA! Some hero you turned out to be!" She scoffed, raising her foot so that it rested on the corner of my desk, her right, automail arm draped over it carelessly.

"And I suppose you've been doing better, more exciting things in your life?" I asked irritably, actually wishing Riza would come back and scold me about the paperwork. Then at least I could blame it on Mizuri and get her to leave.

"For your information, I have, Mustang." She scoffed. "I was traveling around in Xing, Mindin' my own business, seein' the sights, y'know? And alluva sudden, I get attacked by this cross-dresser kid who had a bad case of Palm-tree hair- not to mention it was green, and these crazy bitches who called themselves Sloth and Lust! They said that they were gonna kill you if I didn't get you to stop snoopin around in Homunculi affairs 'n' stuff, An' I had to explain to their crazy asses that I hate your sorry ass. Now, can ya explain to me why they even knew who I was?" She growled, looking me dead in the eye. Her bangs on the left side covered her green eye, and the visible one narrowed at me, signaling her "You better give me a damn good answer or I will fucking kill you. And it shall not, be done, with mercy." face.

"Ah... well, Envy found a picture of us from Ishbal, and he was asking about you... and I uh... kinda exaggerated our... uhm... R-relationship a little, s-so they may have thought you ... um... liked me?" I squeaked. The portion of the desk underneath her foot cracked, and her face was dark and her eyes were evil.

"So...ka...*I see.*" She growled, and then tossed me out the window by my collar with her metal arm. Thankfully I landed in the lake and not on the concrete, but unfortunately, Lt. Hawkeye was right there, on her way back to the office with a stack of documents.

She secured those and made sure they wouldn't be blown away, (though they would probably be turned to ashes later) and then helped me out of the water.

"Sir? May I ask what happened?"

"Mizuri Tamanami happened..." I could see she didn't know who I was talking about.

" You might know her as the Whitewater alchemist, Lt." I said, watching recognition spread across her face.

"I know her as my worst nightmare, personified."

"Mizuri Tamanami. The Whitewater alchemist.

She's about five foot four, green eyes, brown hair usually kept either in a ponytail or like Riza's, 24 years old, (*four years younger than me, Jean Havoc*) and she really detests Roy Mustang, because of an off hand comment he made during the Ishbal war about Water alchemists. (he said that they were useless in a fight and would only get in the way, and as proud as Mizuri is, she didn't take it as lightly as he had hoped...) She is a soldier and a prankster at the same time, and though she has a state alchemist watch, she has absolutely no ties to the military, save her friends, and her attitude when faced with a challenge. In most cases, that challenge is getting Roy to do his paperwork and stop staring at Riza's butt.

Basically, she took the state alchemists test, and declined the position, stating that she only wanted to know if she could pass, and that she wasn't going to let that hothead flame alchemist, Roy, get one over on her. She was a volunteer during Ishbal, and since then has refused joining the military. However, King Bradley decided to give her the watch anyway as a token of respect for her, and she was granted use of the central libraries.

She has also taken to tormenting Mustang whenever she drops into central, saying things that implied his and Riza's relationship, as well as insulting his behavior and claiming to possess a list of "299 reasons why Roy Mustang is a terrible Fuhrer, Soldier, Boyfriend, and Person", and also a list of "I Detest Col. Roy Mustang" signatures from hundreds of dumped girlfriends, and Edward Elric's signature for good measure. Along with bad-mouthing the poor Colonel, she also likes to prank him; i.e. Whoopee cushions, Water buckets over the door, tossing him out of windows into giant water bubbles conjured with her specific style of alchemy... Etc. She likes to hit him, and has developed a type of water bullet, which she uses on him frequently...

However, the antics aren't all her fault. Roy has a bad habit of teasing about her height whenever she drops by, and at her height she's only 2 inches taller than Edward Elric. (And that usually gets Roy tossed out of a window as well...) She and Riza are good friends, along with Tara and Nikki, and she likes to sing to the music Nikki brought with her from her side."

As I explained this to the guy who was keeping tabs on Mustang and Mizu-chan- (and yes, the rest of the guys (and Riza) and I have given her a nickname)- I noticed that he looked like he was going to explode with the laughter he was keeping in. Now, understand that this is the guy you file complaints to in the military, and he also keeps tabs on the work quota put in by each office team. Not normally a guy you see laughing a lot.

At this point, he had started howling with laughter.

"No wonder the boy wants her gone!" he laughed. I frowned. Mustang wanted Mizu-chan to leave. I wanted her to stay.

"And it's no wonder the work quota for his team increased by 30%! Whatever you do, boy! Keep her with ya!"

I smiled. Mustang wouldn't be happy about this, but Mizuri, Riza, and the guys were gonna be ecstatic. I was practically clicking my heels together on the way back to the office.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"So do I have to leave, Jean?" Mizuri asked me. I shook my head no.

"Nah, the guy said that whatever we do, don't let you leave, actually. Mustangs actually working for once." I laughed. Mizu-chan squealed and hugged me.

"YAY! I get to stay! But, that does present a problem..." she sighed, arms still latched around my body. "I don't have a permanent place in Central to stay..."

"Ah, well, You tried, Buh-bye! Buh-bye now! See ya! Oiv-oa!" Mustang said happily. Mizuri and I glared at him. I looked to Hawkeye, and the look she sent back told me that she wished she could let Mizu-chan stay with her, but she couldn't for some reason.

I didn't bother looking at the others.

"You can stay with me, Mizu-chan. If you want to, that is."

I saw the starry eyed look on her face and braced myself as she jumped on me. It amazed me that even when doing something like this, she was so light, and dainty, and she moved with perfect grace, even though one of her arms was made of metal. She shouted out a string of rushed thank you's and I'm so happy's and she smiled a big bright smile that seemed almost too big for her face. It was just too cute, and i couldn't help but laugh with her and everyone else as Mustang repeatedly hit his head on the table.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Today, Mizuri Tamanami, My eternal Nightmare, met her blonde, male, counterpart, Edward Elric. Some. One. Shoot. Me. PLEASE! I BEG OF YOU!

It was our spring office picnic, and Jean had decided to bring Mizuri along, and Mizuri had brought along her friends Tara and Nikki. I will admit, Tara and Mizu can cook some pretty damn good food. (Nikki said that she didn't bring anything because she wanted us all to live, and by the looks on Tara's and Mizu's faces, she really meant what she said.)

Everything was going fine at that point, as in, Mizuri hadn't tried to kill me or prank me yet, but then Nikki had had to go and find the Elric Brothers. She wanted to see Alphonse apparently, but she came back... with the Other one...

"Oi, Where the hell are you takin' me!"

"Fullmetal?"

"Flame-teme?"

"Well, well, if it isn't Mr. Short stuff? Look, Mi-chan, you have a friend who's a midget just like you!" I said, fully intent on making Fullmetal angry. I actually hadn't meant to insult Mizuri too, I knew better than that from experience... It's just, everything had been going so well, for a minute I lost myself and it slipped. Fullmetal didn't even get the chance to retaliate. Mizuri beat him to it by a long shot.

"Who the hell are you calling a MIDGET?" The looks on everyone's faces set my mistake in stone, as they couldn't believe I had said what I had, Knowing Mizuri, and Nikki had crawled behind the shocked Riza and the fearful Tara.

I will never do that again. As it stands, I am currently in the hospital because of that hot tempered woman.

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Mustang has some nerve, insulting me like that. Hmph! He got off easy! But oh well. The picnic ended a little early because of the incident, but I did make a new friend by the name of Edward Elric, and Jean says he doesn't blame me for going off on Roy. As he put it, Colonel Mustang should know better than to insult a woman, much less a no-nonsense girl like me. And I have to admit, going home with Jean Havoc ain't all that bad. If more girls would stick to him and not go off gallivanting after Mustang's shallow charm, he'd be the new heart throb.

I like living with Havoc. He's polite, he's clean, and he doesn't wear excessive amounts of cologne like a certain hot headed Colonel, he's prompt, organized, and even though he smokes, his house smells more like granny smith apples than anything else. Roy's place smells like Brandy and beer; no surprise there. And I had to go get him for the Fuhrer once! Get your mind out of the gutter, will ya?

Anyway, since I've been staying with Jean, he's been nothing but the perfect gentleman, and he lets me go with him to work all the time, especially for the holidays. Which reminds me... Valentines day is coming up...

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Mizuri is really cool, and it's really funny to watch when she beats up Roy. Speaking of whom, He's recently become Fuhrer. And guess what? Right when he got rid of the Fraternization law, he resigned and went back to being Colonel because he wanted to stay with his own squad. I wonder if Riza had anything to do with that.

"Oi! nee-chan! Guess what!"

I turned to face Nikki as she waved her laptop and her Ipad in front of my face.

"Yeah?"

"WE ARE ON THE FMA COVER! AND THEY JUST PUT UP THE ROYAI ARC!"

thats too bad... I was looking foreward to some RoyxEd yaoi... But wait... We're on the cover? I snatched her computer from her and sure enough, there we were on the most recent FMA season cover. Sweetness... But why are the Homunculi on it with us? Instead of the others from Roy's squadron?

When I asked Nikki about it, she shrugged and said that we'd probably get alchemy training and have to fight them. I thought it was going to be a little more complicated than that, and later, i would find out that it couldn't have Gotten more complicated.